The deeper agents delve for cruising options that don’t necessarily fit a traditional mould, the more opportunities they will find to get clients beyond the ordinary – and earn attractive commission in doing so, a leading cruise wholesaler is reminding the trade.

Demand for long haul international travel has returned –especially for 2023 and beyond – says NZ niche cruise and small ship adventure specialist, Cruise World, which also represents American Queen Voyages in New Zealand.

The New Zealand suppliers group has ‘moved up a notch’ by voting to become a formal association and new chair Joe O’Sullivan says the entity will continue to put pressure on government over key issues.

O’Sullivan, of Cruise World, says the New Zealand Outbound Travel Suppliers Association (OTSA) is still (along with the Travel Agents Association of New Zealand – TAANZ) putting pressure on authorities to release the remaining funds in the Consumer Travel Reimbursement Scheme to where it needs to be.

Travel agents are being urged to continue telling their stories so that they can be used to influence decision makers in government and bureaucracy.

Joe O’Sullivan, of Cruise World, recently took up the mantle to follow up on Shane Lust’s petition to government to have the wage subsidy extended for the travel industry. O’Sullivan says that when the petition for the wage subsidy extension was first presented there was no chance for a formal submission because the election got in the way.